Lawyers continue arguments in Iqama case

Manzoor Wassan's counsel claims Iqama was never used for business purposes

KARACHI: Sindh High Court sought on Friday arguments from the plaintiff's lawyer after Manzoor Wassan's lawyer completed his arguments regarding the plea against Faryal Talpur, Nasir Hussain and others for being in possession of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Iqama.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal heard the plea seeking disqualification of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders - Faryal Talpur, Nasir Hussain, Sohail Anwar Siyal and others.

Advocate Khalid Javed argued that Manzoor Wassan had only acquired Iqama to facilitate travelling. Wassan never used Iqama for business purposes, bank accounts or facilities and would only meet party leadership in Dubai, he maintained adding that Wassan acquired Dubai Iqama in 2012 and returned it after one and a half years, besides Wassan had shown his Iqama in his nomination papers.

On the completion of PPP leader Wassan's lawyer's arguments the court sought arguments in reply from plaintiff's lawyer Haq Nawaz Talpur. The plaintiff's lawyer argued that Nasir Hussain Shah had accepted possession of Iqama and therefore he should be disqualified.

Nasir Hussain Shah's new lawyer Zameer Ghumro submitted his power of attorney. Court adjourned hearing till May 24.



Hearing adjourned

SHC adjourned the hearing of the plea challenging cases filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against PPP leader Faryal Talpur due to the absence of the defence lawyer. A two-member bench comprising SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and Justice Omar Sial was hearing the plea filed by Faryal Talpur.

The prosecutor maintained that the services of the investigation officer (IO) have been transferred to the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to look into the fake accounts case.

CJ Sheikh remarked that the money laundering case has now been transferred to the National Accountability Bureau. "What is the point of plea against the FIA now," he asked.

A junior lawyer said that Talpur's lawyer, Farooq H Naek was out of the country and he will plead the case on his return. The court adjourned hearing till May 15.

NAB inquiry

The same bench directed the IO to complete investigation against former provincial environment minister Taimur Ali Talpur within two weeks. The bench was hearing the release plea submitted by Talpur.

The IO said that the inquiry against Talpur was in its last phase.

Addressing the IO the court asked till when would this sword be kept hanging over people's heads.

IO said that more time was needed to complete the investigation. Time should be given, he requested.

Directing the IO to complete the inquiry within two weeks, the court extended the bail of Talpur till May 21.

In the plea filed, Talpur had maintained that NAB sent him a call up notice in January 2019. The plea said that NAB had demanded details of his assets but Talpur did not know the charges against him. The plea maintained that NAB should be barred from arresting him.

Corruption charges

The same bench rejected the review appeal filed by NAB Deputy Director Nadeem Sajid Rizvi who was suspended on corruption charges.

"We want to see what the institute waging crusade against corruption is doing. We directed that NAB director-general should himself look into the allegations on the NAB IO," remarked CJ Shaikh.

"How many corruption cases have you investigated till now?" asked CJ Shaikh.

The suspended NAB officer Rizvi said that he had investigated 15 to 20 cases. "I have worked against corruption. I haven't ever done corruption. The suspension orders should be withdrawn," said Rizvi

"To date has anyone in this country accepted that they have done corruption? We have not given evidence to NAB DG and have simply asked him to conduct inquiry himself," remarked CJ Shaikh. The officer was suspended on accusations of demanding a bribe from an accused in a corruption case.

Barred channels

Another bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the petition filed by University of Karachi (KU) Assistant Professor Osama Shafiq against some private channels and the student who leveled harassment allegations against him.

The bench directed the private channels to not arrange talk shows on the issue and barred the student, Tehamas Ali Khan, from issuing statements against his professor.

The court issued notice to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairperson and its council of complaint. The court also issued notices to some private channels including Geo news, Samaa TV, Hum News and the student, and sought replies from them.

All respondents were directed to submit their replies by May 27.

The bench expressed annoyance over media coverage of the issue before the decision as well as over an interview given by affected students to a private news channel.

"Are TV channels the right forum for justice?" questioned Justice Abbasi. He asked whether the allegedly affected student had appeared before KU's registrar. Counsel for Shafiq, Muhammad Ayaz Ansari said that the media had portrayed the failed student [the student failed in three papers] as a hero without any confirmation or investigation. He pleaded to the court that PEMRA be given instructions to conduct an inquiry against the TV channels.

*with additional input from PPI 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2019.